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At-Bristol’s Chief Commended by International
Scientific Society
Dr. Goéry Delacôte, Chief Executive of At-Bristol science
centre, has been elected as a Fellow by the American Association for the
Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest scientific society.
Goéry’s election to the rank of AAAS Fellow is an honour to his
contribution in science education and he is among the few Fellows to
represent an organisation from the United Kingdom. Goéry is also the only
Fellow representing a science centre in the science education category.
“I’m honoured to be elected as a Fellow. In fact, this accolade should
also belong to everyone in the science centres I represent. This is
testament to their excellence in making the real difference, wherein
science meets the public, by bridging the gap in the most unique and
inspiring manner to rouse a society that’s unfortunately, increasingly
detached from science,” says Goéry.
According to the AAAS, Goéry is commended for his excellence in innovating
science museum design by combining stunning, interactive visitor programs,
powerful school visit programmes and effective teacher professional
development.
“Science centres in the UK alone bring in 17million visitors per year,
this sector deserves its due recognition and support for its achievements,
and indeed more can be done to celebrate its success,” adds Goéry.
A renowned French scientist, science educator and public servant, Goéry
joined At-Bristol as its Chief Executive in September 2005. Goéry has been
involved in science and science education since the outset of his career
and has led the world’s best science centre, Exploratorium, for fifteen
years prior to joining At-Bristol.
Each year the Council elects members, whose efforts on behalf of the
advancement of science or its applications are scientifically or socially
distinguished. The honour of being elected a Fellow of AAAS began in 1874.
For press enquiries please contact Mavis Choong, At-Bristol Press
Office
0117 915 7152 / 0796 733 4152 /
mavis.choong@at-bristol.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
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At-Bristol is a leading science centre in the UK and a
major player in the worldwide science centre movement. It aims to be a
world-class science and natural history centre that makes distinctive,
valued and recognised contributions to informal science learning and
public engagement with science across Europe. A registered charity,
At-Bristol has hosted more than three million visits and continually
strives towards making science accessible to all.
www.at-bristol.org.uk
(Registered charity no. 1049954)
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Goery is instrumental in the strategic development for
At-Bristol, the largest British science centre, to transform it as the
main hub of a national network of British and other European science
centres intertwining interactive exhibitions, education and media, while
providing long-term financial sustainability. Dr. Delacôte holds a Ph.D.
in solid state Physics from the École Normale Supérieure in Paris.
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Goery was second in command launching the French Cité des
Sciences et de I’Industrie.
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At the Exploratorium, Goéry Delacôte led a strategic
transformation of this prestigious institution founded in 1969 by the
physicist Frank Oppenheimer. The transformation included the installation
of 20 mini Exploratoriums network all over the world and the development
of a national center of Continuing Professional Development in science
teaching.
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In November of 2001, the French government presented Dr.
Delacôte the insignia of the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur and he was
included in the l’ordre national du mérite. In the subsequent year, he was
appointed chairman then vice-chairman of the board of the Palais de la
Découverte, the renowned French science museum in Paris that inspired
Oppenheimer in the launching of the Exploratorium in 1969.
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In 2002, he was indoctrinated into a working committee of
the American Academy of Technologies, contributed to the production of
"Technically Speaking” - a report on the need and the way for developing a
basic technological culture for the American population.
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Dr. Delacôte’s had also published a book entitled Savoir
Apprendre (Ed. Odile Jacob, 1996; Spanish version ed. Gedisa, 1997). The
book tells of his experience of five years in California and focuses on
the basic ingredients needed for major educational reform in France and
the United States.
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He was recently elected as a new member of the French
National Academy of Engineering.
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